“I appreciate that.” I avert my gaze, rubbing the back of my neck. “What I really need is a foreman, but I’ve been putting it off for nearly a year.”
“Why’s that?”
“Mostly because I’ve been too damn stubborn to accept change, convinced I knew best when in reality I was just afraid of losing control.”
In hindsight, I recognize how that fear held me back and how foolish I’ve been not to accept that I didn’t have to do everything alone. Hell, even now I’ve had Pops support even when he didn’t agree. Briggs was right about how lucky I am to have my family, and I thank god for their presence in my life.
Briggs straightens up when the bartender brings him another drink but leaves it untouched in favor of responding to me.
“I may be jaded, but even I can acknowledge that if you’re lucky enough to find someone worth holding on to, you should fight like hell to do right by them,” he says, his tone almost wistful.
Briggs’s candid response has me thinking about what’s in Charlie’s best interest. It’s me being home for dinner, getting to spend quality time with our daughter once she arrives, and going to bed with her every night instead of staying up late reviewing supply orders and payroll.
I’m reminded of what Pops has told me countless times—put the people in my life who matter most first, and everything else second.
Despite dragging my feet for so long, I’m willing to admit I need to get my head out of my ass. And I’m prepared to start making changes on the ranch that’ll ensure I’m prioritizing what matters most—Charlie and our baby.
After a long day, I crashed the second my head hit the pillow. That’s why I’m so disoriented when it feels like only minutes have passed before I’m jolted awake by an incessant ringing. I groan, rolling over to check the clock on the nightstand. It’s three o’clock in the morning.
My phone goes off again, confirming it’s the source of all the racket, and I fumble to turn on the bedside lamp, squinting against the sudden brightness.
“This better not be a damn spam call,” I mutter, swiping to answer the unknown number. “This is Heath Halstead.”
Alarm bells go off in my head before the person on the other end even speaks.
What if something bad happened to Charlie?
I tried calling when I got back to my cabin, but it went straight to voicemail. I’d assumed she’d already gone to bed.
When the person finally replies, I’m stunned—not expecting to hearhervoice. For a moment, I think my worst fears have come true, but then they keep talking.
“Whoa, slow down. Can you repeat that?” I ask, keeping my tone even.
Hearing it a second time leaves me flooded with both relief and sadness. I jump out of bed and yank on the Wranglers I wore yesterday. I wedge the phone between my chin and shoulder while I stuff my belongings into my duffel.
“Does Charlie know yet?” I listen to the answer as I scramble to pack the rest of my stuff. “Okay. I’m heading out now. If I drive straight through, I should get there before noon. I’ll bring her over, and we can tell her together. I’m really sorry,” I add quietly.
Dread coils tight in my chest as I picture how this life-altering news will affect Charlie. No matter how badly I want to call her, I agree it’s better to wait and tell her in person. The stress could trigger complications with the pregnancy or her diabetes, and I won’t put her or our baby at risk. I need to get to Bluebell as fast as humanly possible and be by her side when she finds out.
Heath: I have a family emergency. Heading back to Bluebell early.
Briggs: Keep me posted.
Heath: Thanks, man.
It’s the middle of the night, but I’m not surprised he’s up. He’s probably still in his office working. For someone who preaches the importance of delegating and does it well, he still works around the clock.
On my way out the door, I check the time. I can’t afford any stops except for gas if I’m going to make it to Bluebell in time. It’s Saturday, and Charlie usually sleeps in before opening the shop early in the afternoon, so I have to get there before then or risk someone else breaking the news.
Life As We Know It
Heath will be back in a couple of days, and I wish the time would hurry the hell up. The distance gets harder the longer he’s away, and my nerves unravel a little more with each passing day, spiraling tighter until I can barely breathe. Thankfully, my conversation with his dad helped ease some of those worries, and I’m grateful he took the time to reassure me how much his son cares.
Betty was also a great distraction last night, and having Heath text me while I was getting myself off was the icing on the cake. Although nothing will ever compare to having him buried inside me, making me lose control the way only he can.
I can’t wait until this is all behind us and I’m no longer a nervous wreck. It can’t come soon enough, especially sinceHeath didn’t reach out this morning and my call went straight to voicemail. Good thing I have a very special mission to keep my mind off things for a few hours.
Florence’s bag arrived yesterday, so I’m taking it over to her before I open the shop. I rarely visit this early, but she won’t mind once she sees what I’ve brought her.
